Source: North Manchester Journal, October 8, 1896

The old way of sending money in a letter never was safe and is abandoned by most people since we have banks in town where drafts may be obtained cheaply. The express companies also sell money orders and do considerable business in that line. Joe Cowgill, agent of the Pacific Express Co. here, informs us that he sold over $2,000 worth of orders in the month of September. Hard as the times are it seems that some people have money.